Chapter 1196: The Way Out for the People's Art Troupe

Doing business, in truth, can really change a person.

The reason is simple, much like being an official.

The words 'official' and 'benevolence' are completely opposite. Whether in ancient or modern times, if an official adheres to a benevolent heart, that official cannot do the job.

Of course, there are those who govern with benevolence as their foundation, but in the end, few come to a good end.

The reason is simple: the common people have always been the most ignorant and detestable group.

This may sound a bit awkward, but it is absolutely true.

As for the concrete manifestation, from the reform and opening up to the era when Zhao Fusheng was reborn, everyone knows well what changes have taken place in social atmosphere.

The people around Zhao Fusheng were also changing.

Whether it was Zheng Yao or Dong Chenxi, or Bai Jie, who now focused on finance, each of them had undergone different changes compared to before.

Even Tan Kaixuan had become a prominent figure in the American financial market, let alone Zhao's father, who was now a well-known entrepreneur in Ninghai and even Heilongjiang Province.

To be honest, such changes were what Zhao Fusheng wanted to see.

Of course, there was also Fan Baobao by his side.

"Our play premieres the day after tomorrow. Do you want to come see it?" Fan Baobao said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng blinked and said with a smile, "Do you really want me to come?"

She shot him a glare and said crossly, "Come or not, I don't care."

Clearly, the phrase 'mouth says no but body says yes' described someone like her.

"Don't worry," Zhao Fusheng laughed. "I'll bring Beibei along to watch, okay?"

The last few words were directed at Fan Beibei, who was watching TV.

Fan Beibei looked up at Zhao Fusheng's words, glanced at her sister, then at Zhao Fusheng: "Fine, I'll go take a look."

Hearing the little girl's reluctant tone, Fan Baobao's brows knitted and her eyes widened, about to explode. Zhao Fusheng laughed heartily, quickly stood up, and decisively fled the 'battlefield' of the two sisters.

This kind of scene played out several times a day, and he was already used to it.

In Zhao Fusheng's view, this was how the two sisters got along. Their bond was forged through arguments; once they grew up, married, and had families of their own, they probably wouldn't have such opportunities anymore.

…

…

But true to his word, two days later, Zhao Fusheng and Fan Beibei did go to see Fan Baobao's play premiere, even though little Fan Beibei couldn't really understand it.

The show was actually quite good. Fan Baobao hadn't lied to Zhao Fusheng; her colleagues were undoubtedly excellent actors. But the problem was that at this time, theater was in a slump.

This was evident from the attendance rate.

Good things don't necessarily gain market recognition—that was the dilemma facing most performing arts today.

"Brother, this isn't fun," Fan Beibei said, clearly dissatisfied with the day's outing, hugging Zhao Fusheng's arm.

Zhao Fusheng smiled helplessly and had to comfort the little girl softly: "Beibei, be good. We came to see sister, right?"

The little girl tilted her head, thought for a moment, and accepted Zhao Fusheng's answer.

Clearly, in her mind, she didn't understand what art was; she simply thought today's show didn't meet her expectations.

With a sigh, Zhao Fusheng said nothing more and led Fan Beibei out of the theater.

Once outside, Zhao Fusheng sat in the car and pondered for a long time.

Changing this situation under current conditions was undoubtedly very difficult, and even he had no good solution. Moreover, Zhao Fusheng had no interest in getting involved.

Things within the system are too complicated, involving too many people. I'm not sturdy enough for that; it's better to stick to being a businessman.

Actually, to be honest, if the People's Art Theater wants to solve this problem, the solution is simple: reform the system.

Increase income and reduce expenditure. Increasing income always comes before reducing expenditure, because money isn't saved—it's earned.

Of course, entering the millennium, there were too many ways to make money in film and television.

For example, a few years later, a common trick played by many film and TV companies listed domestically was to acquire a listed company as a guaranteed distributor.

Generally, such companies were small ones listed on the New Third Board or the Growth Enterprise Market, mostly involved in fund management or venture capital, more than enough as a vehicle for guaranteed distribution.

At the same time, the film company would mortgage the future earnings of a film to the bank, with the company itself as the guarantor, so that the listed company could obtain the distribution rights.

After securing the distribution rights, this company would then authorize other film distributors.

Then, the mid-year financial report of this listed company would look particularly good, and due to cooperation with many distributors, it would spark a series of discussions.

Then, the stock price would soar!

They could even acquire useless assets of some film companies to expand their own strength.

For example, Zhao Yanzi played such tricks, but probably got too carried away and was banned from the stock market for five years. But she didn't care, since she held a Singapore passport and wasn't Chinese anyway.

This kind of operation was very common among film companies in later years.

If exposed, the film company would definitely shift the blame completely; if not, naturally, retail investors would follow the trend and buy in. After all, Chinese retail investors are used to it.

Zhao Fusheng remembered that when he read novels on Qidian, some authors, under the guise of stock novels, recommended stocks, and even some so-called top authors, at the cost of a盟主, made readers join groups and then tricked them into buying stocks.

As for whether they could make money?

Heh, in a bull market, you can make money buying anything; in a bear market, you lose on whatever you buy.

The stock market has never had experts; it's just a game of passing the parcel.

…

…

“Haven’t left?”

Zhao Fusheng sat in the car and dialed Ye Jing's number.

Ye Jing laughed: “Old Jiang doesn’t need me there. I’ll be around here lately. What’s up?”

“Donglaishun tonight, I want to talk something over with you.” Zhao Fusheng said to Ye Jing with a smile.

This was why he felt confident delegating power in the company. The reason was simple: no matter which company's business, it was inextricably linked to Zhao Fusheng himself. As long as he wanted, he could get involved anytime, and no one could fool him.

If he didn't have that confidence, Zhao Fusheng would have to be crazy to delegate power so thoroughly.

“Brother, are you going out tonight?” Fan Beibei sat in the car and asked Zhao Fusheng curiously.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: “Beibei, be good, wait at home for brother. Brother will be back soon.”

“Alright then, I’ll play with Sister Panpan.” Fan Beibei tilted her head, thought for a moment, and said to Zhao Fusheng.

Fan Baobao had finished filming for “A World Without Thieves,” so Yang Panpan naturally had free time. As a member of the Future Group Chairman's Office, her main task now was to accompany Fan Beibei.

In short: babysitting.

Yang Panpan had no objection to this. She was quite satisfied with her current job. She wasn't well-educated, and her personality wasn't suited for clerical work. Being able to stay at Future Group was a good thing in itself.

You know, when she went home for the Spring Festival last year, Yang Panpan gave the bonus Zhao Fusheng gave her to her family, which really startled them.

They had worried that their daughter might be deceived in the capital, but now it turned out she hadn't been deceived; instead, she had met a benefactor.

The Yang family came from a martial arts background. For them, it was already a good outcome for their daughter to have found her current job.

After all, in this era, it's no longer the time when one learns martial arts and literary skills to sell to the emperor. Now, even martial arts masters struggle to get by.

Moreover, Yang Panpan had told her parents that she was working as a bodyguard for the boss's wife. In the Yang family's view, this was like being the most trusted among the trusted; their daughter's future was limitless.